Luc's still looking

Jeremy Kenny

03/30/2009

As their hunt for a big time linebacker continues on, the Tigers have set their sights keyed in to south Florida on Jeff Luc, the No. 1 middle linebacker in the country.

Luc exploded onto the scene last season at Treasure Coast High School when he accumulated 125 tackles, including 98 solo and 22 for loss, nine sacks, and two interceptions. Those numbers combined with his 6-foot-1, 241-pound frame and 4.65 speed grabbed the attention of just about every school across the country.

Luc, who says it’s a blessing to be in his position and credits his teammates and coaches for helping him get to this point, has visited Florida and Miami so far this spring, and this weekend he took part in the Miami NIKE camp.

“I won the MVP award today at the camp,” Luc said. “I feel like I performed pretty well, but I could have done better. I think people were surprised by my speed because I was hanging with the running backs going downfield on go routes.”

Though he isn’t sure which other schools he will be visiting in the coming months, Luc said LSU would be one stop he would like to make.

“LSU offered me a few months ago,” said the 5-star prospect. “Coach Mac (D.J. McCarthy) called my coach and said they were offering me, and then I got to talk to him some.

“He said they like how I get to the ball with my quickness and speed, and they like my intensity. He said they need me to be a part of the defense. He wants me to go visit the school so I can see the facilities, meet the coaches and players, and be part of the program.”

Luc says he is familiar with the success of the LSU program in recent years.

“I know LSU has a good program, and they send players to the NFL,” he said. “They won a national championship a few years ago. Whenever you win a national championship, you know you have a good program. I want to get out there and see things and meet some people this summer.”

Many have speculated that the hometown Miami Hurricanes are going to be the team to beat for Luc, but he says that’s not necessarily the case.

“Being from the Miami area, of course Miami was my favorite team growing up,” he said. “But that doesn’t put them at any advantage or disadvantage to the other schools, and I’m not going to go there just because they are my favorite school.

“I’m still open to everybody, and I don’t know when I’ll be narrowing it down yet,” he continued. “When I do start to narrow things down I’m going to be looking mostly at the academic success of the schools and their graduation rates. Playing time will factor in a little bit also.”

Luc, who says it’s a blessing to be in his position and credits his teammates and coaches for helping him get to this point, has visited Florida and Miami so far this spring, and this weekend he took part in the Miami NIKE camp.

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“I won the MVP award today at the camp,” Luc said. “I feel like I performed pretty well, but I could have done better. I think people were surprised by my speed because I was hanging with the running backs going downfield on go routes.”

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Though he isn’t sure which other schools he will be visiting in the coming months, Luc said LSU would be one stop he would like to make.

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“LSU offered me a few months ago,” said the 5-star prospect. “Coach Mac (D.J. McCarthy) called my coach and said they were offering me, and then I got to talk to him some.

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“He said they like how I get to the ball with my quickness and speed, and they like my intensity. He said they need me to be a part of the defense. He wants me to go visit the school so I can see the facilities, meet the coaches and players, and be part of the program.”

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Luc says he is familiar with the success of the LSU program in recent years.

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“I know LSU has a good program, and they send players to the NFL,” he said. “They won a national championship a few years ago. Whenever you win a national championship, you know you have a good program. I want to get out there and see things and meet some people this summer.”

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Many have speculated that the hometown Miami Hurricanes are going to be the team to beat for Luc, but he says that’s not necessarily the case.

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“Being from the Miami area, of course Miami was my favorite team growing up,” he said. “But that doesn’t put them at any advantage or disadvantage to the other schools, and I’m not going to go there just because they are my favorite school.

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“I’m still open to everybody, and I don’t know when I’ll be narrowing it down yet,” he continued. “When I do start to narrow things down I’m going to be looking mostly at the academic success of the schools and their graduation rates. Playing time will factor in a little bit also.”